[LINK] GE Announces Advancement in Incandescent Technology

[Glen Turner]

Ivan Trundle wrote:

> But since when was Edison credited with the invention of the light bulb?
> And since when is it only 125 years old?

Edison's genius wasn't at thinking of new ideas, but of taking
laboratory curiosities and turning them into everyday objects.

The light bulb is the perfect example of that. Holding a light
bulb is one thing, having the infrastructure behind that light
bulb for Jane Public to simply flick a switch and light a room
is another thing entirely.

And that commercialisation required a fair bit of PR (ie, over
stating his contribution, making it appear that all of the
company's efforts were his alone) and a ruthless attitude to
competitors (other electrical, phonogram and movie
manufacturers).

Americans believe that Edison invented the light bulb and
that Ford invented the car.  What they mean is what we would
call "popularised".

-- 
 Glen Turner         Tel: (08) 8303 3936 or +61 8 8303 3936
 Australia's Academic & Research Network  www.aarnet.edu.au